Box-folding machine.



A. B. GOWLES. BOX FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 21, 190B.

Patented Dec. 13,1910.

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BOX FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION IILED 211.21, 100a.

Patented Dec. 13,1910.

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Witnesses ,0 fit A. B. GOWLES.

BOX FOLDING MAGHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 11.21, 1906.

978,702. Patented Dec.13,1910.

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$64M 7 61mm,

A. B. GOWLBS.

BOX FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 21, 190B.

Patented Dec. 13, 1910.

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BOX FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION rum) APR. 21. mos.

Patented D60. 13, 1910.

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uuentoz A. B. GOWLES.

BOX FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION rum: un. 21, 1900.

978,702. Patented Dec. 13,1910.

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BOX FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION nnnn APR. 21, 1806.

Patented Dec. 13, 1910.

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M'MHI uvantoz UNITED STATES ra ENT oreros.

ABTHUR B. COWLES, OF ROCHESTER, NEW.YORK.

noxmonnmo MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 21, 1906. Serial No. 312,957.

Patented Dec. 13, 1910.

To all whom it may concem:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR l3. COWLES, of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Box-Folding Machines; and I. do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, formlng a part of the specification, and to the reference-numerals marked thereon.

My present invention has for its object to provide a machine for folding paper box lanks, after the glue or adhesive material has been applied thereto, and it comprises.

generally mechanism for feeding the blanks from a stack: or pile, devices for turnin up and overlapping their edges or flaps an delivery apparatus which holds said flaps in engagement until the adhesive material has set and finally depositing them in a row or stack with predetermined blanks offset from the others to enable the operator to keep an accurate count of the folded boxes.

My invention has for its' further object to provide such an arrangement of parts that the machine may be readily adjusted to fold boxes of various lengths and widths and the various operations performed with great rapidity.

To these and other ends the invention consists in certain improvements and combinations of parts all as will be hereinafter more fully described the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a top plan view of a box folding machine constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the rear side of the machine. Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1, showing the rack and the folding devlces. Fig. 4 is an enlarged de tail sectional view, similar to Fig. 3, illustrating the feeding devices. Fig. 5 is a sectional detail View on the line 5" 5' of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a detail view partly in section taken on the line 6" 6 of Fig. 1, showing the folding devices in normal position. Fig. 7 is a similar view taken on the line 7" 7 of Fig. 1, illustrating theoperation of the folding devices. Fig. 8 is a detail plan view of the glue wheel and the scraping devices cooperating therewith. Fig. 9 is a detail side elevation of the stack rack, adjacent parts be ing shown in section taken on the line 9" 9 block as seen when looking in the direction indicated by the arrows on the section line 13 13 of Fig. 12.

Similar reference numerals in theseveral figures indicate similar parts.

A box folding machineconstructed in accordance with my invention is adapted to fold and glue paper boxes after they have been out and scored and it comprises a rack adapted to receive a stack or pile of the box blanks, devices for projecting the lowermost blank at the bottom of the stack and folding devices which strike up the lateral edges or side flaps of the flat sheet and deliver it in a folded condition onto a conveyor which eventually deposits the folded box in a knock-down condition onto a receiving table. Suitable mechanism is interposed between the stack rack and folding devices for transporting the blank projected from the former, which carries one. of the edges of the. blank in engagement with the means employed for supplying it with glue or adheslve material contained in a suitable receptacle and the carrying devices which receive the blank are also adapted to hold its folded edges in contact until the adhesive material has set or hardened. The machine blanks A comprlsing vertically extending end pieces 3 and 4 between which extend a plurality of shafts 5 arranged in horizontal alinement and spaced equidistantly from each other, as shown particularly in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. Each shaft is provided with a plurality of feeding rolls 6. preferably constructed of yielding material, such as rubber or of radially extending bristles, as indicated by 6 in Fig. 4. The bottom of the rack is composed of a su porting the located betweenthe r0 ers 6 on adjacent shafts, adapted to be moved upwardly and downwardl to agitate the stack of blanks and normally sup ort 'them out of engagement with the re ls 6 and only allow the stack to-descend into engagement with them at roper intervals, when it is desired to fee or project a blank. This movement of the bottom ofthe rack is accomplished by extremities of each of the ro s 7 on arms 8 of-bell crank levers, pivoted on the shafts 5, having the downwardly extending ends 9 which are connected for simultaneous operation by a rod 10 which is shifted intermittently, as will be further described.

The forward edges of the end ieces 3 and 4 are extended upwardly, as indicated at 15, and supported on said extensions is a guide rod 16 on which are adjustably supported two or more heads 17 carrying arms 18, adjustablfy secured beneath cap plates 19, the ends 0 said arms being provided with wa s in which are mounted gages 20, having t 1e downwardly extending ends, which are adjustable relatively to the floor of the rack by screws 21.- C06 erating with each ofthe gages is a guide r0 1 22, mounted on an arm 23 and sup orted in alinement with the tops of. the fee rollers 6. The rear ends of the arms 23 extend laterally beneath the rack and are adjustably secured by a bolt 24 to a head 25 which 1s longitudinally movable on the side piece of the frame 1 and is normally secured thereto by a bolt The end pieces 3 and 4 of the rack are also provided with upwardly extending arms or brackets 31 having perforations at their upper ends guiding the rods 32, supporting the side pieces 33 ofthe rack, WhlCh are secured in adjusted position by means of set screws 34.

Located in front of the rack and extending parallel'therewith is the main driving shaft 35, journaled inbearings 36 and'provided at one end with a gear wheel 37 meshing with the pinion 38 attached to a pulley 39, having an axle supported in the bearing 40, said pulley being fadapted to receive a belt or other driving connection 41, as shown in Fig. 1. Connected to this shaft is a glue applying roller '42 which'is positioned in alinement with one of the side edges of the rack and adapted tojtransfer theglue or adhesive material, from a suitablerecept-acle 43, to the pasting flap 44 located at the extreme edge of a blank. Adjustment of the roller is permitted b pro-. viding the shaft 35 with a longitu inally adjustable end 35 which is secured in a sleeve or collar 45 by means of a set screw 46, as illustrated in Fig. 8..

In order to regulate the quantity of the adhesive materia supplied to the pasting lurality of rods 7,

bracket are upwardly flange 55 notched at its inner end, as indicated at flap of the blank, scrapin devices coiiperate with the lateral edges an face of the wheel which are also ad ustable on the side portion of frame 1. bracket 47 havin the glue wheel,,which is. also secured to the frame 1 by a bolt 48 extending throu h a slot 49-inthe frame. At the sides 0 the projecting ribs or s 50 between whic is guided a slide 56, to receive the edge of the glue wheel, the edges of said notch o erating as scrapers. The slide is also ca ab e of adiu'stment relatively toward and rom the w eel by means of a screw 57 provided with a hand wheel 58. Thequantit of glue or adhesive material carried on t e 42 may be further regulated by a scraper 59 adjustable connected. The adjustment of this scra er toward and from theface of the whee 1s efiectedby a cam 61, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8, resting in an elongated aperture in the scraper 59 and secured to an arm 62,

said arm and cam being journaled on a stud 63 threaded into the slide 55 and provided ,with a knurled head 64 (Fig. 5) by means of which the screw ma be rotated to clamp the cam in thedesire position of adjustment. It-.will be noticed that the scraper hese devices comprise aa split inner end, the bifurcations of w ich surround'the hub of transversely on the slide 55 by -means-o-fa screw 60. to which it is loosely 59 may be regulated so that the glue or ad-,

hesive material is only carried at oneside of the rim of the wheel, at its upper edge. The pressing roll 65 is ofi'set slightly from the center of the rim of the glue wheel 42 and is supported above that portion of the rim fromwhich the adhesive material has been scraped and as the pressing roll is adjusted so that it does not engage the glue wheel it will be seen that the thin film of material carried on the latter will not engage the pressing roll when the pasting flap of the blank is not passing between these parts, which prevents the presser roller from collecting adhesive material and subsequently applying it to the upper face of a blank. The presser roller is carried u on a vertically movable head 70, held in ad uSted position by a set screw 71,,carried on an arm also supported on the end pieces 3 and 4" of the rack. In order to properly guide the projected end of 42 and 65 a de ending curved arm 74 extends downwardly beneath the head 72 and beneath this is a similar guide having a downwardly extending forward end 75, as shown particularly in Fig. 5.

72, adjustable longitudinally on a rod 73, arranged beneath the rod or guide 16',

a blank between the rollers The lntermittent raising and lowering" movement of-the bottom of the rack, heretofore mentioned, is caused by a cam 76, on

es a pin 77 on a yoke 78 connected by a 'n 79 to the rod 10,

- the rearward movement of which rotates the bell crank levers and lowers the floor rods .or sup orts 7 permitting the blanks to rest upon tie feed'rollers 6. The latter mav be rotated continuously, but it is preferable to operate them intermittently as it facilitates the successive. rojection of the blanks at regular interva s. Each of the shafts 5 is provided at one end with a gear wheel 80 and all of these are connected to rotate in the same direction by idlers 81. ()n one.of the shafts, such as 5, the gear wheel is provided with a hub having a single ratchet tooth 82 with which coiiperates a spring pressed pawl 83, on an arm 8 attached to a gear wheel 80 'journaled loosely on the extended end of said shaft. Coiiperating with the gear wheel 80 is a rack 85 having a bar 80 coiiperating with a cam 87 on the shaft 35 by means of which it is moved outwardly in guides 88 against the tension of a sprin 89 which moves the rack in the opposite direction. By this arrangement it will be seen that when the rack is moved outwardly motion is imparted to the gear wheel 80 and through the pawl 83 to the shaft 5 and by the intermeshin gear wheels 80 and 81 to each of the shafts 5.

The transporting devices for carrying a box blank from the rack to the folding devices consist of a conveyer comprising upper and lower belts 90 and 91 supported at their ends on rollers 9292 and 93-93 respectively, and at intermediate points by rollers 94. The rollers of the lower belt are -ri idly mounted in suitable bearings and the ro lers 92 and 93 of the upper belt are carried in movable bearings 95, supported on an arm 96 extendin rearwardly from the bar 73 and operated downwardly by coil springs 97. The adjacent stretches'of the belts 90 and 91 are arranged in alinement with the to s of the feed rolls 6 and they are arranged between rearwardly extending parallel guides 98 and 99. The shafts carrying the rollers 92 and 93, at the forward ends of the belts, are provided at their outer ends with gear wheels 100 rotated by a pinion 105 meshing with the gear wheel 106 on the shaft 35.

At the rear side of the table or frame 1 and extending thereon .in a direction transversely of the guides 98 and 99 is a conveyer comprising the belt 107 the ends of which pass around rollers 108 (Fig. 6) and 109 (Flg. 12). This conveyer is made of a width approximately equal to the length of the longest blank which the machine is designed to fold.v It is driven continuously in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figs. 1 and 6 by means of a gear wheel 110, attached to the roller 109, meshing with the gear wheel 111 connected to the shaft 35 by 'intermeshing bevel gear wheels The conveyer 107 is located beneath the plane of the guides 98 and 99 and forms a floor with which the foldin devices cotiperate, as will be more fully dlascribed hereinafter. Ar-

ranged above the conveyer, at the rear of the last mentioned guide, and resting thereon is a presser belt 113, sup orted at its ends b the rollers 114 (Fig. 6 and 115, (Fig. 12 journalcd in inner and outer frame pieces 120 and 121, which also carry intermediate supporting and pressing rollers 122 and 123 respectively. Means for tightening the belt 113 are provided at its outer end comprising a roller 124 supported on vertically adjustable arms 125. Motion is imparted tothis belt by means of the gear wheel 120, carried at the rear end of the roller 109, meshin with a similar gear wheel 127 on the roller 115 (Fig. 2).

The rear ends of the guides 98 and 99 form supports on which the box blank, as it is pro ected from the rack, is held at the commencement of the folding operation and as these supports also assist in such operation, they form part of the folding. devices. The guide 99 is arranged stationary upon the frame of the machine and at its rear side it is provided with an upwardly extending lip or shoulder 128 which prevents the box blank, as it is carried by the transporting devices, or conveyer belts 90 and 91, from becoming twisted and it is also provided with a longitudinally adjustable stop 129 (Fig. 1) which arrests one side of the blank, a similar stop 130 being also provided on the guide 98. As it is necessary to adjust the latter to accommodate blanks of various widths, it is mounted upon brackets 131 and 132, located respectively at the inner and outer sides of the belt 107, each of which is provided with a threaded box 133 through which extend adjustin screws 134, supported in bearings 135 and connected for simultaneous adjustment by a sprocket chain 136. The lower ends of the brackets extend forwardly beneath the guide or support 98 and between them are journaled a plurality of "rollers 137 which support that portion of the belt 107 termed the floor. .One or more of these rollers ma be journaled in boxes 138 operated upwar ly by springs '139, as shown in Fig. 6. Also supported on the screws'134 are boxes 140 carrying a cross bar 145 on which are mounted arms 146 in which are adjustably secured rods 147 supporting a guide 148, similar to the guide 128. Also supported on this rod and projecting forwardly therefrom are arms 150 which are curvec upwardly, as shown in Fig. 7, and provided with the ends 151 overhanging the guide or support 98 which serve to retard the upward movement of the wide flap at this side of the blank when the latter is depressed between the guides.

' C06 crating with 'the guides or supports to a vertically movable bar160 provided with a pin 162 traveling ina cam slot in a disk 163. The latter ismounted on a shaft 164 which is rotated by the driving shaft 35 through the two sets of bevel gear wheels 165 and 166. The beater rods 152 moving downwardly upon abox blank causes its central ortion to be depressed into engag'ement with the floor or conveyer with its side flaps projecting vertically in engage ment with the side edges'of the supports 98 and 99 and the next operation isthe folding of'these panels or edges upon the central portion of the blank, with the portion or "panel provided with the pasting flap 44 beneath the other edge or panel. This part of the operation is accomplished by the folders, located beneath .the guides or supports, which move relatively toward each other and downwardly toward the floor, or conveyer, to rotate the vertically extending panels at the edges of the blank into a horizontal position. In the present illustration this featureof the invention is shown as comprisin folders or wings 167 and 168, the former being journaled at its ends in the inner and outer frame pieces 120 and 121, beneath the support 99, the latter being pivotally supported in the brackets 131 and 132, beneath the support 98. -The upper edge of the wing or folder 167 is notched to provide fingers 169 (Fig. 3) and depending from the support 99 and extending into said notches, when the wing is in its normal position, are fingers 170. The journal pin at one end of the wing 167 projects outwardly through the frame piece 120 and is provided with a crank arm 175 which is connected at its outer end to a rod 176 attached to a yoke 177 surrounding the shaft 164 and provided with anelongated aperture 178 and a pin or roller 180 periodically engaged by a cam 179.

The wing or folder 168 comprises end pieces in which are journaled two or more rods or rollers 181 '(Fig. 7). One of the end pieces is provided with an extension or arm 182 (Fig. 6) attached by a link 183 to an arm 184 which is adjustably secured by a set screw 185 to a longitudinally movable bar 186, guided in brackets 187 on the main frame and operated in brackets 187 on the main frame and operated in one direction the ere a by aspring188. Lorigfit udinal movement is imparted .to the bar 1 6 a cam 189 on the shaft 164- cotiperating with the roller. 190

carried on an arm 195. The cams 179 and 189 are arranged relatively to each'other'on the. shaft 164 so that u 'on each rotation thereof the wings or fol ers will be moved from their normal vertical position, shown in Fig. 6,"to a horizontal position,'as shown in Fi 7, and the cams are so proportioned that t e win or folder 168 will move down-, .wardly in a vance of the folder 167 so that the anel carryin the astin stri or fla to which the glue has been a g lied? will mi derlie the other edge ofthe ank, the cams retaining the folders inthis position for a sufficient length of time to ermit the conveyer .107 to carry the fol ed blank from beneath these parts into engagement with the cooperating belt 113 where the blank remains a suflicient length of time to permit glue or adhesive material to set. The belt 107, it will be noted, is moved in a direction to carry the box blank laterally with the overlap ing portion at the advancing side ofthe lank so that it will not be disturbed as it is withdrawn from beneath the wing 167 and engages the conveyer belts.

The folded box blanks are delivered at the end of the machine onto a table 196, guided upon the frame pieces 197 and adjusted ertically by means of a screw 198 supported in bearings 199. On the table is mounted an outwardly movable abutment 200, against which the blanks are stacked, and at its inner end it is provided with apivoted dog having an inclined shoulder 205 projecting above the edgeof the table and engaging the lower edge of the blank deposited thereon, the upper edge of said blank being retained by a stationary shoulder 206 located above the table. The deposited blanks rest upon their edges and in order to rotate them into a vertical plane there is arranged between the table and the conveyer belts 107 and 113' a supplemental conveyer which curves downwardly, as shown in Fig. 12. This is composed of two or more narrow belts 207 and 208, the former passing around driving pulleys on the shafts 209 and 210, twoor more inter-mediate pulleys 211 and a tightener 212, supported upon an adjustable arm 213. The belts 208 pass over the pulleys on shafts 214 and 215, and a tightener 216, carried upon an adjustable arm 217. The shafts 209 and 214 project beyond the rear side of the machine frame and are provided with intermeshing gear wheels 2099 and 214 which are driven from the gear wheel 126 upon a pinion 209*. As the belts 207 and 208 are short and the driving pulleys are comparatively small in diameter, it is desirable that the pulleys on the shafts 210 and 215 be positively rotated and for this reason said shafts are provided with intermesh- :5 ally mounted upon the arm 248 is 0 side of its other extremity ing gear wheels 210 and 2155 to which rotary movement is imparted'by a tram of idler ear wheels 218. 219 and 220.; Located directly beneath the last mentioned shafts 5 are two discharge rollers 225 and 226 between which a box blank, as it emerges from the conveyer belts 207 and '208, is directed by a deflector 227. These rollers are positively driven by gear wheels 225 and 226, the ormer of which meshes with the idler 220. The last mentioned parts are located directly above the inner end of the table 196, and each blank as it descends thereon is pushed outwardly beyond the shoulders or )rojections 205 and 206 by spring packm lingers 228 carried on an arm 229, pivoted at 230, and oscillated by a rod 231 connected to an arm 232, pivoted to a bracket 233, located centrally on the main frame 1. The arm 232 is provided with a pin or roller 234 lying in a cam slot 235 in a cam 236, on the shaft 164, the rotation of which causes an oscillation of the arm 229 whenever a boxblauk is deposited upon the table 196.

Mechanism for counting the deposited blanks by offsetting one of them whenever a predetermined number has been delivered to the'table is arranged at the dischar e end of the machine and 1s illustrated in Fig. 12. 0 This mechanism comprises generally an offsetter 237 supported 1n a guide 238 and intermediate devices which cause it to be 0 erated at predetermined intervals. The 0 setter is connected by an adjustable link 239 to an arm 240, supported upon a transversely extending shaft 245, and it is normally retracted and held in inoperative position beneath the surface of the table by a spring 246, connected at one end to the to frame and at its other extremity to an arm 247 also mounted on the shaft 245. Ar-

ranged upon the latter is an arm 248 having an upwardly extending end 249 on which i is pivotally supported a latch 250. Pivota laterally movable controlling block 251, actuated in one direction by a spr' 252, having at one side of its outer end a fiaterally projecting pin or roller 253 and provided at the other with another pin or roller 254. Extending transversely above the arm 248 is a shaft 255 sprocket wheel 256 connecte by a chain, or other driving connection 257, with a 5 sprocket wheel 258 on the shaft 164.

. Mounted on the shaft 255 is a cam 259 which cotiperates with the roller 253 to depress the arm 248 and elevate the ofi'setter 237 at certain intervals of time. 260 is also secured to the shaft and is adapted to coiiperate with the roller 254 to return the controlling block 251 to its normal position after the movement of the ofi'setter as been completed. The block 251 is provided with a notch 261 with which the inrovided with a t A similar cam nth end of the latch 250 normally engages to hold the pin or roller 253 out of the ath of the cam 259. The devices for contro 'ng the release .of the block and the subsequent movement of the offsetter are operated by the folded box blanks as they are carried along by the conveyer and they comprise'a ratchet wheel 262, mounted upon a shaft 263 and rotated intermittently by a pawl or dog 264, carried u on an arm 265, connected by a llnk 266 wit a trip 267 journaled on the shaft 209. The trip is provided with a segmental surface 268, WhlCh conforms to thecurved surface of the conveyer passin over its supporting pulle and it is notche ,or cut away, as indicate at 269, so that it will be disengaged from the box blank when 1t has been rotated by contact therewith a suflicient distance to actuate the ratchet wheel 262 the distance of one of its teeth, the trip being returned by a spring 270 attached to the arm 265. Extendm outwardly from the shaft 263, beyond t riphery of the ratchet wheel, is an arm 275 in which is guided the upper end of a thrust rod 276, the lower end thereof being provided with a slot 277 receivin a pin 278 on the latch 250', the outer end 0 the latter being yieldingly connected to the rod by a contractile spring 279, which performs the dual function of rotating the latch 250 into engagement with the notch 251 and su porting tie r 276 in a normal elevate position. Th periphery of the ratchet wheel 262 is provided with a plurality of ratchet teeth, fifty in the resent instance bein employed, one of w ich, such as 280, eing made of less depth than the others so that when the do 264 engages therewith its outer ed 'e will be held in alinement with the end of the rod 276 causing the latter to be depressed, in the osition shown in Fig. 12, to disengage the atch 250, and permit the controlling block 251 to be rotated by its spring 252 into the path of the cam 259. As before stated, when the parts are in this position, cam 259 will cause the oifsetter to be elevated to pro'ect one of the blanks, thus indicating that fty of them have been deposited upon the table, and the continued rotation of the shaft 255wi11 cause the cam 260 to enga e the roller 254 and return the controlling Tflock and permit the latch 250 to again lock it until the ratchet wheel 262 has made a complete rotation and the dog 264 again engages the shallow tooth 280.

The operation of the machine will now be readily understood. In the first instance the operator adj uststhe side ie'ces 33, the gages and uide arms 23, of the stack rack to receive t e box blanks which it is desired to fold. The guide 98 is adjusted relatively to the stationary guide 99, by rotating the screws 134, and the glue wheel 42, with its cotiperating parts is set by loosening the i guide arm 184' is, rigidly-secure Further adjustment of the machine is com-' nut 46 and moving the section of the driving shaft 35 longitudinally in the sleeve -45- After these operations are" completed, the 148 and the arms 150 are adjusted in. proper relationship to the uide 98' and the to the bar 186 pleted when the beater rods 152 are shifted on the rock' shaft 154 so that wh'enoscillated the will move in vertical planes and pass their respective guides 98 and 99 in proximity to-their inner edges.

" A pile of box blanks, as indicatedby A,

lbeingstacked in the'rack and rotary motion beinglimpartedto the shaft 35, from the belt 41,t e stack willbe permitted to descend into engagement with the feeding rolls 6 whenever the arms arereleased bythe high portion of the cam 76 passing out of engagement with the pin 77 on the yoke 78. When the stack is resting on the feed rolls the cam 8'2 engages the arm.88 and moves the rack 85 outwar which is connected by the pawl 83 to the pinion 82 on they shaft 5, thereby rotating each of the feed rolls a suflicient distance to project'thelow'ermost box blank into engage- 1 ment with the transporting devices or conveyer belts 90and 91 which are movin continuously; These belts carry the box blank over the glue wheel 42 and deposit it at the rear ends of the guides or supports 98 and 99 where it is arrested in contact with the stops 129 and 130, in proper position between the guides 128 and 148. As soon as a box blank,

has arrived in this position the slot inlthe cam-163 draws the connecting rod 160 down- Wardly and rotates the rock shaft 154to throw the arms 152 downwardly, from the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3, to force the central portion of the box blank into contact with the floor formed by the conveyer belt 107. The movement imparted 'to the arms 152 is sudden and they are returned immemediately to the normal position before the cams 179 and 189, on the shaft 164,- begin tomove the folders or wings 167 and 168 into the operative position to .fold the verticalli extending side panels or flaps of the blan over the central portion thereof. The wings or folders are held in the operative position momentarily by the respective camsuntil the folded box blank is carried from beneath them by the conveyer belt 107 and is en'- gaged beneath the belt 113 where it remains a sufficient length of time to allow the glue or adhesive material to set or harden before it is finally deposited on the table 196.

The blank as it. emerges from between the conveyer belt-s 107 and 113 and enters between the belts 207 and 208 engages the trip 267 on the shaft 209 rotating the latter in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 12 and depressing the pawl 264 a suflicient distance to actuate the ratchet wheel 262 a disly to rotate the pinion 80,

tance of one ofits teeth. The box blank as it is discharged from-the belts 207 and 208 operated atthat time byjthe cam 235, on the shaft 164,. imparting a rocking movement to the arm 232 and a similar movement to the arm 229 to which it is connected bythe rod the ratchet wheel 262,- as before described, and when the pawl 264 engages the shallow from engagement with the controlling block beneath the cam.259, on the shaft 255 w erearm 248 and the ofisetter 23-7 elevated to move one of the folded box blanks above the others for the purpose of indicating that a folded. The cam 260 subsequently-engagin the roller 254 returns the controllingb oct 251 to its normal position and'th'e latch 250, operated by its spring 27 8', engages'there mal position.

pable of folding various sizes an the arrangement of the various parts and the different driving'con timed in relation to one another permits the blanks to be folded with greatrapidity. By constructing the floor or bottom of the stack rack of a sufiicient length to accommodate the longest blank and makin the'conveyer for conducting the folded'bhanks of a width to receive the widest blanks which the Further, by arranging the 'c onveyer to operate in a direction transversely to the direction of movement oftheblanks asthey pass out of the rack, the machine may be made compact so as to occupy but little floor space.

I claim as my invention: 5 1. In a box f lding machine, the combination with supports adapted to receivea box tooth therein its outer edge a so engages the upper end of the thrust rod 276, causing the. latter to be depressed to release the latch 250 predetermined number of them have been 'A machine embodying invention, is caand gluingbox blanks ofnections between them which accurately blank, a movable convey'er located beneath and the rollers 225 and 226 is pushed out- I :wardly on the table by the packing arms 228 231. Each succeeding box blank actuates 251. The latter being released, is allowed to rotate, into the positlon shown in Fi 13,

by a rocking movement is imparted to the.

with .while the "rod 27 6' is returned toits nor- I apparatus is designed toreceive, the work necessary to adjust "it to accommodate box, blanks of diiferentsizesis greatly simplified.

= other and mechanism for operating the arms and folders successively.

4. In a box folding machine, the combination with supports adapted to receive a box blank, a movable conveyer located beneath the supports and traveling laterally relatively thereto and arms movable'relatively toward and from the conveyer and passing the proximate edges of the supports, of folders operating relatively toward each other into engagement with the conveyer and mechanism for operating the arms and folders.

5. In a box folding machine, the combination with supports adapted to receive a box blank, a conveyer arran ed beneath them and traveling laterally re atively to the sup ports and means for depressing the blank 'into engagement with the conveyer, of folders pivoted beneath the supports and mechanism for operating the depressing means and rotating the folders relatively toward each other over the conveyer.

6. In a box folding machine, the combination with sup orts adjustable relatively to each other an adapted to receive box blanks of various sizes, brackets carrying the supports and a floor arran ed beneath the latter, of folders movable re atively over the floor and carried by the brackets, means movable past the supports for depressing the central portion of the blank beneath the folders and mechanism for operating said means and folders.

7. In a ,box folding machine, the combination with a floor, brackets located at opposite sides thereof and supports on the brackets extending above the floor, of a folder pivotedon the brackets beneath each of the supports, a rock shaft at one end of the sup orts, arms thereon adjust-able relatively to t e latter and mechanism for operating the shaft and folders.

8. In a box folding machine, the combination with a rack adapted to contain a stack of box blanks, supports adapted to receive said blanks and devices for transportin the latter from the rack to the supports, devices fo'r depressingthe central portion of a blank between the su ports and folding its lateral ed es over said depressed portion, aconveyer or receiving the folded blank and mechanism for operating said devices and conveyer.

9. In a box folding machine,'the combination with a rack adapted to contain a stack of box blanks a conveyer and means for transporting said blanks from the rack to a position above the conveyer, of box folding mechanism com rising impact members for striking the box lanks downwardly onto the conveyer and folders for overlapping the edges of the blanks when tht latter have been struck .into engagement with the con: veyer and means for operating the impact members and folders relativel to each other.

10. In a box folding machine, the combination with a rack adapted to contain a stack of box blanks, a conveyer movingin a direct-ion transversely to the rack, and means for transporting the blanks from the latter to a position above the conveyer, of

an impact member, means for causin it to strike the center portion of the lanks downwardly onto the conveyer and then retract, and folders for turning the edges of the blank over its central portion and holding the blank thus folded into engagement with the conveyer..

11. In a box foldin machine, the combination with a rack adapted to receive box blanks having an open bottom, a feed roll and means for moving the latter and said bottom relatively to alternatel sup ort the box blanks, a shaft arranged in rout of the rack and a roller thereon and means for supplying adhesive material to the roller, of a conveyer leadin passing the roller on t e shaft,drivin connections between the latter, the feed r0 1 and conveyer, folding devices receivin the blank from the conveyer and means fbr operatin the foldin devices and shaft.

12. n a box fo din machine, the combination with a rack a a ted to receive box blanks having an open bottom, a shaft arranged at one side of the rack, a receptacle for adhesive material and a roller mounted on the shaft and having an edge extending into the receptacle, of a traveling conveyer located in front of the rack, a feed roll located beneath the receptacle and operated intermittently by the shaft to project a box blank into the conveyor, folding devices adapted to receive blanks from the conveyer and means for operating the folding devices and shaft.

13. In a box folding machine, the combi-- nation with a rack which is adjustable to receive box blanks of various sizes, a conveyer leadin therefrom and folding devices receiving a blank from the conveyer comprising a stationary support and a relatively adjustable support, of arms cooperating with said supports, a wing pivoted beneat the stationary support, a driving shaft and connections between it and the wing, a second wing movable with the adjustable support, an operating member aafrom the rack and a box blank from the rack to the supports,

devices cooperating with the latter to fold a blank and deliver it onto the conveyer and mechanism for operating the latter, transferring means and folding devices.

15. In a box foldin machine, the combination with a rack adapted to receive box blanks, guides extending in front of the rack and means for ejecting a blank onto the guides, of a glue applying device located adjacent one of the guides, a conveyer located between the guides and folding devices receiving the blank from the conveyer and mechanism for operating the ejecting means, conveyer and folding devices. v

1-6. In a box' foldin machine, the combination witha rack a apted to receive box blanks, guides extending in front of the rack one of which is movable relatively to the other, means for ejecting a box blank onto the guides, and a device for applying glue to one side of the blank, of folding devices at the outer ends of the guides, a

conveyer for moving the blank along the latter and deliver it to the folding devices and mechanism for-operating the ejecting means, folding devices and conveyer.

17 In a box folding machine, the combination with a rack adapted to receive box blanks, guides extending forwardly therefrom, devices for ejecting a blank onto the guides, means for operating them and a device for applying glue to one side of the blank, of a conveyer extending transversely of the guides and located beneath their outer ends, devices for folding the blank and depositing it on the conveyer, means for transporting a blank from one end of the guides to the other and' mechanism for operating said transporting means, folding devices and conveyer.

18. In a box folding machine, the combination with a rack adapted to receive box blanks, guides extending forwardly therefrom, devices for ejecting a blank onto'the guides,-means for operating them and a device for applying glue to one side of the blank, of a conveyer extending transversely of the guides and located beneath their outer ends, devices for folding the blank and depositing it on the conveyer, means arranged at one side of the guides and pressing the folded box into engagement with the conveyer, means for transporting a blank from overlappin edges one endtbf the guides to the other and mechanism for operating said transporting means, foldingdevlces and conveyen' r 19; In a box folding machine, the combination with a rack adapted to receive box blanks, means for ejectmg'them' longitudinally and'a device for applying glue to the under surface of each b ank at one side thereof, a conveyer. traveling in a direction transverse to the direction of the feeding movement of the blanks, of folding devices receiving the ejected blanks and cooperating with the conveyer to superpose one of their lateral edges upon the other'and mechanism for operating the ejecting and foldmg means and the conveyer. j

20. In a box'foldin machine, the combination with a rack adapted to receive box blanks, means for ejecting them longitudinally and a device forapplying glue to the under surface of each thereof, of a conve er, devices for 'foldmgv thelateral edges 0 ank at one side the blanks and superposing one edge upon the'other with their glue bearing portions lowermost, means for operating the conveyer to remove the blanks from beneath the folding devices with thelr in advance oftheir underlying glue caring the conveyer and mechanism for operating the ejecting means, folding devices and con veyer.

21. In a box foldin machine, the combnation with a'rack a apted to contain box blanks, devices receiving the blanks from the rack and folding them, a stacking table, a conveyer for transporting the blanks from the folding devices to the table, of an off-- setter adapted to coiiper'ate with a blank on the table, an arm connected thereto and a laterally movable controlling block, a shaft and a cam thereon adapted to cooperate with the block to rock'the arm, a latch for holding the block out of alinementwith the cam, devices for releasing the latch actuated by the blanks carried by the conveyer and mechanism for operating the folding devices, conveyer and cam shaft.

22. In a box folding machine, the combination with a rack adapted to contain box blanks, devices receiving the blanks from the rack and folding them, a stacking table, a conveyer for transporting the blanks from the folding devices to the table, of an offsetter adapted to cooperate with a blank on edges, a presser engaging the blanks and holding them in contact with the table, an arm connected thereto and a two pro ections, a shaft, a cam thereon adapted to cotiperate with one projection to operate the offsetter and a second cam adapted to engage the other projection to restore the block to its normal position, a latch for retaining'it in said position and devices for releasing the latch actuated by the blanks carried by the conveyer and mechanism for operatin r the folding devices, conveyer and cam sha t. a 23. In a box foldin machine, the combination with a rack a apted to contain box blanks, devices receiving the blanks from the rack and folding them, a stacking table, a conveyer for transporting the blanks from the folding devices to the table, of an oil'- setter adapted to cooperate with a blank on the table, an arm connected thereto and a laterally movable controlling block having two projections, a shaft, a cam thereon adapted to cooperate with one projection to ogerate the oflsetter and a second cam adaptto engage the other projection to restore the block to its normal position, a latch for retaining it in said position, a ratchet wheel having a shallow tooth, a pawl enga in the wheel and means for rotating the w iee actuated by blanks carried b the conveyor, a member coo crating with t e latch o erated by the pawl to release the block w en the pawl is in engagement with the shallow tooth of said wheel and mechanism for op erating the folding devices, conveyer and cam shaft.

ARTHUR B. cowLEs.

Witnesses G. WILLARD RICH, FLORENCE E. FRANcK. 

